Daniel Cormier admitted that this UFC legend hurt him on many occasions.
The former world champion has gone head-to-head with some of the best mixed martial artists to have ever graced the cage.
And during his time in the sport, the American showcased incredible toughness.
However, even he conceded that this particular opponent has very heavy strikes.
Touching: Daniel Cormier opens up about heart-wrenching message Jon Jones sent him
Daniel Cormier says Jon Jones hurt him with every shot
Daniel Cormier opened up about what it’s really like to fight Jon Jones.
‘Bones’ and his nemesis shared a truly epic feud, which culminated in two fantastic fights.
After winning the first contest via unanimous decision, Jones issued a vicious warning to Cormier before knocking him out in the rematch.
While ‘DC’ had success in both bouts, he’s confessed that getting past his rival’s strikes was anything but easy.
In an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience from 2024, Cormier said: “It hurt so bad trying to get close to him.
“You know me, forward, forward, forward, head movement, get close, punch, punch, punch, take you down.
“But this dude be stepping back, kneeing me, kneeing me, kneeing me. So, I be like, ‘So, I need to stop going forwards’.
“So, now I’m at range, and he’d blast me with body kicks. I’m like, ‘I’m not going to stay on the end of these body kicks because they hurt’. So, then you get close, and he knees you.
“But that knee goes, ‘boom’, right in the rib. Every now and again, they catch you right in the middle, that hurts bad.”
Daniel Cormier claims his former opponent would’ve beaten Jon Jones
Cormier rates Jones very highly.
However, his former foe isn’t the only top-class operator the legend has battled it out with.
And interestingly, Cormier thinks one of his opponents would’ve beaten Jones.